Editor:
I am compelled to respond to some of the assertions submitted by Garry Clifford (Coast Reporter letters, Aug. 27).
Clifford said, "We elect parties to Parliament to carry out the collective wishes of the people."
No sir, we do not elect parties. We elect members of Parliament. We are not a republic, nor do we have an electoral college. We do not vote on the election of Prime Minister - this is a party function. Our governance is based on the Westminster parliamentary system where the party with the most seats can form government based on the will or "confidence" of all elected members in the House of Commons with the leader of that party becoming Prime Minister.
The collective wishes are limited by the majority of people who did not vote for the government now in power.
I understand Mr. Clifford's frustration with the Bloc but they, the NDP and Liberals being described as some sort of "unholy alliance" is dead wrong. It's an argument that is not reflected in either the recent U.K. or Australian federal elections. Both are parliamentary democracies with coalitions.
Mr. Clifford also said, "Personally, I believe that unless a party fields candidates in every province in the country, they should not be allowed to sit in our federal Parliament."
Talk about an issue the Bloc would love to use to bolster a referendum question. Think about it - even if they are duly elected? I remind Mr. Clifford that the Reform Party was an Alberta-only party when they entered the federal scene. And are you suggesting an independent cannot run?
I appreciate opposing points of view, but it is important to provide factual information as a basis of opinion, not party spin.
Bonnie Nicol
Gibsons
